AUBURN - The city of Auburn could be changing the way its residents and visitors park.

City officials are proposing an amendment to the city's parking code that would extend the winter alternate-side parking policy for the entire year.

Officials are saying the proposed parking policy would improve efficiency among the city's departments and make the streets safer for city employees and others. But year-round, alternate-side parking would also be difficult to enforce, according to the police department.

Currently, Auburn's municipal code states that vehicles must park on the even-numbered sides of streets during even-numbered days of the month and on odd sides on odd days between Nov. 15 and March 30.

The parking system is in place to give snow plows enough room to clear the roads. This policy is in effect all seven days of the week.

During spring and summer, it would be enforced from 6 p.m. Sunday through 6 p.m. Friday.

The policy would be in place on every city street unless otherwise noted.

Auburn City Council will vote on the proposal Thursday

during a business meeting. The meeting will take place 6 p.m. at Memorial City Hall, 24 South St.

Councilors heard a first reading of the amendment and a presentation from Public Works Superintendent Jerry DelFavero Thursday during the previous council meeting. DelFavero told councilors that alternate-side parking throughout the year would be “a dream” for his staff.

When cars are only parked on one side of the street, traffic flows better and both drivers and pedestrians can see one another easier, DelFavero said Thursday. City services such as waste collection and street sweeping would also run smoother, as crews would be able to coordinate their efforts to the parking schedule, he told the councilors.

City Manager Mark Palesh said Monday that the new parking policy would free up time and effort for city crews to take care of other jobs. A blanket policy would also require fewer signs on city streets, which would cost less and improve the overall appearance of the streets, Palesh said.

Pedestrians and city crews are not the only people who would be safer under a new policy, Palesh said.

“There are some streets that emergency vehicles can't get down when there is parking on both sides of the street,” he said.

Like any ordinance, a new policy will have to be enforced to be effective. And according to Auburn Police Chief Gary Giannotta, this is a legitimate concern.

“I think it is a great idea, but the enforcement is going to be the issue,” Giannotta said.

During the winter, officers have more time to ticket violators, Giannotta said. As things pick up in the summer, that time just isn't there, he said.

Giannotta added that officers will issue parking tickets on Washington and Seymour streets, where alternate-side parking is the policy throughout the year. The next day, cars will still be parked on both sides of the street, he said.

Palesh said cities often have to prioritize which codes to enforce.

“Hopefully, the public would work with us so we are not spending time trying to enforce this,” Palesh said.

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.